Graduation Policies

For the Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, and Associate in Applied Science degrees, regardless of the time the student has attended the college, at least 25 percent of the approved curriculum credits must be completed at the college granting the degree. For a certificate or diploma, at least 25 percent of the approved curriculum credits must be completed at the college granting the credential. In the case of degree programs offered through joint, cooperative, or consortia arrangements, the student must earn at least 25 percent of the credits from the participating institutions. Students seeking Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degrees or Diplomas must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in order to be eligible for graduation. To be eligible for a certificate, a student must satisfactorily complete an approved curriculum with a grade point average of at least 2.0 in the courses required for the certificate.

Students who have completed at least 45 credit hours of work toward degree completion or 30 credit hours of work toward diploma completion in the KCTCS colleges shall be graduated “With High Distinction” if they attain a grade-point average of 3.60 or higher on all work attempted. Students who have completed at least 45 credit hours of work toward degree completion or 30 credit hours of work toward diploma completion in the KCTCS colleges shall be graduated “With Distinction” if they attain a GPA of 3.40-3.59 on all work attempted.

A student will be eligible for an additional degree when the student has completed the requirements of the second curriculum including a minimum of six credit hours relevant to the second degree and beyond the requirements for the first degree. In no case will a degree be granted for the completion of a second option in a program. The completion of a second option, however, will be recorded on the transcript.

KCTCS colleges offer employers of graduates the following guarantee: The KCTCS colleges guarantee employers that graduates have demonstrated competence in the skills listed on the approved task lists that represent industry validated specifications for each occupational program. Should a former student be considered by the employer to be performing below a satisfactory level on any skill on the approved task list, the colleges agree to provide specific retraining at no charge to the employee or employer. This guarantee extends for two years from the date of graduation.

The guarantee applies to all college graduates of occupational/technical programs who are employed in their field of training. The program enhances economic development efforts by guaranteeing Kentucky’s businesses and industries access to a skilled work force.